ABSTRACT

Located in the southeastern part of Fujian, Anxi County is a poor, mountainous area not too far from Xiamen.1 It was an important source of emigrants to Southeast Asia and to Singapore in particular, where an estimated 10 per cent of the inhabitants can claim a connection. Some 40,000 people left in the first half of this century, mostly for that port city. But there was also a significant outflow (as many as 20,000 people) during the Civil War and early communist years which added considerably to the first-generation migrant population. Whilst younger Singaporeans are far less sentimental about their ancestral land, the older, China-born generation still maintains an emotional attachment to the home district. Family relationships were apparently maintained through a long period of political hostility when visits were not permitted and communication was, at times, extremely difficult. But, once establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries relaxed travel restrictions,2 increasing numbers have returned to Anxi where they have contributed needed developmental capital. However, a principal reason Singaporeans are visiting today is for purposes of ancestor worship.